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Selecting the best flowers for the funeral is not always easy. Flowers promote happy feelings and boost our mood during the most crucial occasions of our lives. Besides helping us make our anniversaries extra special, flowers are also perfect Mother’s Day gifts and help decorate weddings. Additionally, most individuals send flowers to churches and undertakers to express sympathy to the deceased and their family members and colleagues who have lost their special one.
Beautiful but not environmentally friendly
However, although beautiful and personal for a funeral, flowers for a funeral are viewed by some as an expensive, non environmentally friendly waste of money. The fact that many flowers are brought into the UK via lorry from Holland or flown in from foreign countries means that they carry a large carbon footprint including the packaging.
Even when some families say please donate to a charity instead of sending flowers, the mourners still send flowers as it is viewed as the correct, decent thing to do. Whereas donating to a charity can be viewed by some as being cold or not respectful to the deceased.
For many it is viewed as sad that these often expensive, colourful, beautiful funeral flower arrangements are simply put into bins by the staff at the crematorium often within 24 to 48 hours of the service, as they obviously need to make room for more flowers. If the flowers were left on a grave then they would stay there, however around 70%+ funerals in the UK are now cremations, mainly due to the lower cost compared to a burial. This means the bulk of flowers are discarded quite quickly.
These discarded flowers then mostly go to landfill. Flowers themselves obviously decompose naturally quite quickly, which is good. But of course it’s not just the flowers that produce the carbon footprint mainly through transporting them, it is the foam oasis base and plastic oasis base, the cellophane wrapping, plastic stems and ribbons etc. All these items take energy to manufacture and likewise years to decompose.
Apart from the carbon footprint issues, many families who struggle to pay a funeral bill can significantly cut an undertaking fee by using a low-cost undertaker but can then see flowers as another unwanted financial stress.
If possible to keep a low carbon footprint and be environmentally friendly a mourner could pick flowers from their or a friend’s garden, or from a woodland where flower picking is allowed. Of course this is only possible for those with access to a garden, or in close proximity to a woodland. Likewise this would only apply mainly in the spring and summer months when the flowers are in bloom. For many living in a flat in a city /town it would not be possible to pick their own flowers, and it is one of the reasons that many people use a florist. Florists also have a comprehensive selection, and the skills to make up beautiful displays.
To keep flower costs down as much as possible it is best to purchase flowers directly from the florist and not go through an undertaker. You could also avoid having the flowers wrapped in cellophane. There are also next day low-cost funeral flower delivery services.
Various flowers for the funeral arrangement ideas
But, what are the best flowers for the funeral? Flowers that you can send to someone’s home or graveside ceremonies? This informative article aims to show beautiful flowers for the funeral, and thoughtful funeral flower messages ideas.
Sending funeral flowers generally stands for a long-standing custom of expressing your sympathy. During those sad times, funeral flowers signify warmth, love & compassion and bring a hopeful message. Flower arrangements serve a dual function – comforting the grieving family and honouring the deceased’s life.
You have countless options to consider if you want to select the best flowers for the funeral that can help you express your real sentiments. These include:
Floral baskets and pots
Floral baskets are traditional types of funeral flower arrangements that consist of flowers spilling over the sides of a basket. You can use them to convey your deepest sympathies and condolences.
Wreath
Circular floral tribute, wreaths are often used as funeral decorations to honour the deceased’s life. They can also be sent as sympathy gifts to the bereaved family.
Standing spray
A standing spray is a funeral arrangement designed to be displayed on an easel or stand. This floral tribute usually features flowers and plants arranged vertically, making it a perfect choice for graveside services.
Casket flowers
Although a less common choice of flowers for the funeral, coffin flowers offer a colourful funeral flower arrangement to view during the service. This arrangement is designed to be placed on top or around the deceased’s coffin during the viewing or service.
Funeral flower keepsake ideas
Good quality artificial flowers can be used as a lasting memory. When you send flowers for the funeral, you may want to make a keepsake to remember the deceased. Here are some of the best funeral flower keepsake ideas.
Preserve the funeral flowers
One of the most popular funeral flower keepsake ideas is to dry the flowers. You can do this by either drying or freezing the flowers. Chemicals such as silica gel are also used to dry and preserve flowers.
Turning flower arrangements into a garland necklace
Another popular option is to turn the flower arrangements into beads. You can do this by pressing the flowers and attaching them to a string or metal wire.
Pressed flower artwork
If you want a more decorative keepsake, consider pressing the flowers and turning them into artwork. You can either use an iron to press out creases or glue the flower petals onto paper.
Pressed floral jewellery
If you want to both preserve and wear flowers for the funeral, consider pressing them into resin and attaching them to a piece of jewellery. This jewellery can be anything from a necklace to a bracelet.
Place dried flower petals into resin ornaments
Another popular keepsake is to place the dried flower petals into resin ornaments. These strong resin ornaments are a lasting keepsake, and create a beautiful decoration for any room in your home. Resin kits can be purchased online. Paper weights, door stops, and ornaments can all be made from these resin kits.
Use dried flowers to decorate photo frames
If you want to use flowers for the funeral with a photo of the deceased, consider using dried flowers to decorate an image frame. You can use hot glue or wire to attach the flowers to the frame.
Flowers for the funeral for pressed bookmarks
If you love to read, consider using pressed flower bookmarks. This simple idea is a great way to keep the memory of the deceased close by while you’re reading your favourite book.
Placing flowers for the funeral in shadow boxes
Consider placing the buds in shadow boxes (glass-front display case) if you want a more three-dimensional keepsake. You can use this to display your funeral flowers or keep the memory of the deceased.
Floral candles
Another beautiful flower keepsake when using flowers for the funeral is transforming the flowers into a floral candle. This craft project can also double as an activity for children and grandchildren.
Paper crafting with flowers for the funeral
Consider using flowers for the funeral in paper crafting projects if you’re looking for a crafty way to remember the blooms. This idea could include anything from using dried flowers for making cards to scrapbooking layouts.
Flowers for the Funeral – Ideas for a Man
When it comes to funeral flower arrangements for a man, there are generally fewer choices when compared to floral arrangements for women. This is because many people prefer to choose more masculine colours. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t send your respect stylishly! Here are some of the best, unique funeral flower ideas for men:
Single stem Rose
A single stem or bouquet of roses is always a classic choice when choosing flowers for the funeral. You can choose a red rose to symbolise love and respect or any other colour to match the man’s personality. A single rose is a traditional symbol of remembrance and loss. This arrangement is a great option if you’re looking for a simple but elegant funeral flower arrangement.
Gardenia
The gardenia is another popular option for funeral flowers for men. This flower is often associated with masculinity and strength, making it the perfect choice for a memorial service.
Orchid
The orchid is a delicate flower that can represent the unique and special qualities of the man who has passed away. This flower is also often associated with luxury – making it ideal for high-end funeral services.
Tall and sturdy arrangements
Consider using flowers for the funeral like lilies, gladiolus, or sunflowers if you want a tall and sturdy arrangement. These flowers are often associated with masculinity and strength, making them the perfect choice for a man’s funeral.
Bouquet of strong-scented flowers
If you’re looking for a bouquet that will stand out, consider using strong-scented flowers like lilies or gardenias. These flowers will fill the room with a beautiful fragrance.
Casket sprays of mixed flowers
Coffin sprays are a thoughtful way to show your respects to the deceased.
Flowers for the Funeral – Ideas for a Woman
When it comes to funeral flower arrangements for a woman, there are more options when compared with men. Here are some of the best, unique funeral flower ideas for women:
Bouquet of pastel flowers
A bouquet of soft pastel flowers is a beautiful way to show your respects to the deceased. You can use any bloom you like, but it’s best to stick with light and feminine colours.
Shaped wreath of mixed flowers
If you’re looking at flowers for the funeral that are simple yet elegant, consider sending mixed flowers arranged into an eye-catching shaped wreath. You can choose any type or colour of flowers that represent your sentiments towards the deceased. However, it is a thoughtful idea to use a colour palette that reflects the deceased’s favourite colours and flowers.
Sustainable dried flower wreaths can often be an attractive alternative to a cut flower wreath.
Bouquet of Roses and other flowers
If you’re looking to send flowers for the funeral, consider sending a bouquet of roses. You can use any colours or types you like, but this arrangement best suits the deceased who loved roses.
Lotus flower arrangements
The lotus flower represents faith and peace in many cultures. If you have several flowers at your disposal, consider the lotus flower.
Bouquet of dainty flowers
If you’re looking for dainty or understated flowers for the funeral consider a bouquet using flowers like daisies, violets or pansies. These flowers are often associated with innocence and delicacy.
Casket spray of mixed flowers
A coffin spray is an excellent way to show your respects to the deceased. You can use any flowers, but ideally ones that were a favourite of the deceased.
White flowers for the funeral are often associated with purity and innocence. If you’re looking for something more traditional, consider arranging white roses or lilies into a coffin arrangement. This idea could be a funeral flower keepsake that can be created at home in dried flowers on a foam oasis base.
Funeral flower Ideas from children
Funeral flowers can be comforting for the deceased’s family at the funeral of the special parent/grandparent. As a parent or guardian there are various funeral flower options that could be sent from a child to select from. The examples of funeral flower ideas shown below could be considered for children of all ages.
Casket enclosure of mixed flowers
If you’re looking for a simple but beautiful funeral flower, consider sending mixed flowers arranged in an enclosure. You can use any flower that the deceased liked.
Coffin spray arrangement of roses and lilies
Roses are often associated with love, and lilies are mostly considered funerary flowers because they were used to decorate tombs in ancient Egypt. Consider sending a coffin spray of roses and lilies.
Bouquet and teddy bear
A bouquet and a teddy bear are excellent ways to show your love for the deceased. You can choose any flower you like, but it’s best to select a warm looking soft and cuddly teddy bear.
Garden stone with or without flowers
If you want to give the family of the deceased a funeral flower keepsake that they can cherish for years to come, consider sending a garden stone with or without a bible verse.
You could consider sending a garden stone with flowers, and personalise the garden stone with the deceased’s name or personal inscription.
Coffin arrangement of Roses
Roses are often associated with love, and red roses can symbolise passion. If you want to send flowers for the funeral for both men and women, consider sending a coffin arrangement of red roses or pink lilies, especially if the deceased was an avid fan of romantic movies.
Bouquet or basket of Daffodils
Daffodils are often associated with hope and new beginnings. If you’re looking for a funeral flower message that captures the essence of the deceased, consider sending a bouquet or basket of daffodils.
Basket or box arrangement of mixed flowers
A basket, box or plain arrangement is an excellent funeral flower idea for women. If you’re looking to send flowers for the funeral that are both beautiful and eye-catching, consider sending a mixed bouquet in a wicker basket. You can include any flower the deceased loved most during their lifetime.
Bouquet of Lilies
White or pink lilies are often considered funeral flowers because they were used to decorate tombs in ancient Egypt. If you’re looking at traditional flowers for the funeral, consider sending a bouquet of lilies.
Alternative and named floral arrangements
The deceased was a keen bowls player
A relative of the deceased conveys their bleeding heart
The deceased served in the Navy
Funeral flower card messages
There are various ways you can express your condolences and support by sending funeral flower arrangements. But, what should you write on the card when sending flowers for death or funeral service? If you want to convey your deepest sentiments through your arrangement, consider including a message along with your flowers.
Here are some popular flower message ideas to consider:
“You will always be in our hearts.” or “Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.”
“I am so sorry for your loss.”
“God Bless You During This Sad Time.”
“With Deepest Sympathy on the Loss of Your Loved One.” “Our hearts are breaking with your loss/s.”
“Sending you all our love during this difficult time.”
“With Deepest Sympathy.”
“With Sincere Condolences on Your Loss.”
“Thinking of You in This Sad Time with Warmth and Love!”
“Sending My Tender Thoughts, Prayers & Heartfelt Support to You All During This Difficult Period. I am so sorry for your loss/s.”
“In Loving Memory of Your Beloved _____. May the Angels surround you, giving you divine comfort and peace during this time.”
“We are deeply sorry for your loss.”
“With Deepest Sympathy in Your Recent Loss.”
“Sending You Warmth and Love at This Sad Time. May God’s Angels Protect You All…”
“May God’s Loving Arms Comfort You During This Time of Grief.”
“With Sincere Condolences on Your Loss.”
More examples of what to write can often be found in the post What to Write on a Funeral Flower Message card
Conclusion
Although beautiful, funeral flowers are also wasteful and often leave a large carbon footprint as many are now brought to the UK from Holland via lorries. Sadly many flowers for a funeral often while still bold and open are binned as the crematorium simply does not have room to show all flowers.
Now that you have seen the various ideas, you will hopefully know more of what flower arrangement to send. For example, if you want to send flowers for men, consider sending a coffin spray arrangement of what is considered more masculine colours, and the opposite for women.
Alternatively if you’re looking to send biblical flowers for the funeral, consider sending garden stones with bible verses. The options are endless, and there are no hard and fast rules as to what colour flowers to use. This is particularly relevant if the deceased was a keen gardener or generally liked all flowers.
If you have the time to locate and pick wild flowers, funeral flower arrangements can also be made from wild flowers.
Whenever ordering flowers for the funeral it is advisable to save money and order directly from the florist.